Vidal and Cech set to move

Tom McDermott offers his verdict on some of the players tipped to move in the final stages of this summer's transfer window.

There are still some transfer sagas yet to be resolved this summer so which big-name stars will be on the move before Deadline Day is over?

Tom McDermott offers his verdict...

Javier Hernandez

Hernandez has struggled to hold down a regular place at Manchester United since he burst on the scene a few years ago. The Mexican is clinical inside the penalty area but questions remain about his contribution to general team play and whether he can adapt to Louis van Gaal’s new system.

With Robin van Persie tipped to return to the side in the next couple of weeks and Wayne Rooney recently trusted with the captain’s armband it could be time for the ‘Little Pea’ to consider a career away from Old Trafford.

"A move away from Old Trafford is now looking like Hernandez’s best bet with United pushing him in the direction of interested European teams."Tom McDermott on Javier Hernandez

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are monitoring his situation closely and you could see some movement over the next few days with United preparing to cash in.

Verdict: Deal

Petr Cech

Cech’s immediate future at Chelsea was thrown into doubt earlier this week when Jose Mourinho decided to start Thibaut Courtois ahead of the 32-year-old in their opening Premier League game at Burnley.

It’s unlikely that Cech will make do with a prolonged period on the bench and he claimed earlier this week that Mourinho hadn’t spoken directly with him about his future.

The next conversation between the pair will be fascinating and could involve Cech stating his desire to move away from Stamford Bridge in order to secure first team football.

Cech has won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time with the club and could potentially have another five or six years at the top level.

Although Mourinho has given no guarantees to Courtois that he will remain first-choice, the club’s decision to open contract negotiations with the Belgian means that the writing is probably on the wall for Cech in London.

That news will put managers around Europe on alert because Cech certainly isn’t a player whose better days are behind him.

Monaco and PSG are just two Champions League participants who are expected to make a move for the experienced ‘keeper in the coming days.

What’s certain is that he’ll be back starting for someone soon.

Verdict: Deal

Andros Townsend

England certainly missed Townsend’s pace and direct style during the World Cup this summer. The fact that people have spoken about his absence from the tournament (due to injury) highlights just how far he has come since returning to Tottenham from a variety of loan moves.

But, does new Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino see the winger as a starter in his system? You’d certainly think so, especially as he possess the energy that the Argentinian looks for when trying to implement his high pressing game.

However, Harry Redknapp and QPR are known admirers of Townsend and enjoy nothing more than a late deadline day deal. Elsewhere in the Premier League the pressure is on clubs who are hoping to break into the top four or secure Europa League qualification. Would a team like Everton look to boost their squad with such a player?

Townsend is tipped to stay at White Hart Lane but his situation between now and September is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Verdict: No deal

Edinson Cavani

Liverpool’s interest in Mario Balotelli tells you everything you need to know about Edinson Cavani’s future.

The Uruguayan was on Brendan Rodgers’ list to replace Luis Suarez but PSG’s demands put off the Merseysiders as well as a host of other potential suitors.

Cavani appeals to so many because of his versatility in the forward positions but unless he and his club alter their demands he may have to wait until the January window for a move at the very least.

It looks from the outside that Cavani is a product of the current financial climate within the game.

Certain clubs are willing to pay vast amounts to players hence the desire of particular stars to stay where they are rather than look elsewhere, regardless of if they are completely happy or not.

In Cavani’s case, he is approaching his peak years so it would be disappointing to see him stick it out for financial reasons rather than looking to excel at another club.

Sadly however, it wouldn’t surprise many if that were the case.

Verdict: No deal

Arturo Vidal

Will he? Won’t he? We’ll shortly know the outcome of the transfer saga of the summer.

The Chilean midfielder has been on Manchester United’s radar since David Moyes was at the club and Louis van Gaal said that he would ‘speak to Ed Woodward, rather than you’ when asked about the player last week.

Vidal didn’t feature for Juventus this pre-season and despite several denials from other members of United’s staff, reports in Turin and his native Chile suggest that United are still trying to secure his signature.

Why wouldn’t the former champions be interested in a dynamic box-to-box midfielder anyway? They could certainly do with one.

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has gone on record several times stating his desire to keep his most sought after player, but he also knows that his value is likely to drop after this transfer window.

There’s a few more anxious days ahead for United fans I’m afraid. Expect this one to go right down to the wire.